What exactly are recruiters looking for in a screen? • Hacker News Board

Post by cowabungabruce » Fri, Sep 16, 2016, 12:26 AM UTC

I have only gotten past about 2/3rds of the standard half hour phone screens by recruiters. They have usually been around the same format:

-Describe your past roles. -Why here? Why this role? -Any questions for me? (Which is always a bit tough because the recruiter is not on the team I apply for)

I have usually given the same exact answers everytime with about 2/3 pass rate. When I get rejected at this step, I have never ever gotten specifics when I ask why. So my question to the HN community is: What are recruiters looking for in non-technical intro screens? Is it simply different from company to company and I have had bad luck? Are they looking for specific buzzwords related to the role? Are there general principles that I can apply to improve?

Post by liquidcool » Fri, Sep 16, 2016, 7:52 PM UTC

It's important to note that in most cases, it's not the recruiter rejecting you, but the hiring manager. The recruiter collects some info, and passes you on to the hiring manager with their notes. The manager will decide who - out of everyone who has applied or been actively recruited - to interview. So most likely it's your resume and your competition that will keep you from getting interviewed. Your job is essentially to help the recruiter sell you to the hiring manager by pointing out how relevant your background is, because they really can't tell. And yes, it does vary quite a bit from company to company.

The other thing that will get you an interview? Letting them know about other companies you're interviewing with and offers on the table.